When a band is rehearsing in a practice room, you don't set up in the straight line like you would in a gig situation, or would you?

From my experience, in the practice room band members tend to each set up in a corner, or some sort of space, and generally play facing each other, completely the opposite of the gig situation where you have to face the audience. I would have thought any band would do this, or am I wrong?

This is my rehearsal room:



Excuse my crude image, but if you imagine the blue oval is the drum kit and the brown square underneath the bass amp, would you not put the two guitar players in the opposite corners i.e. bottom left and top left?

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www.variousassortments.co.uk - www.myspace.com/variousassortments

Quote paulprogram:

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When a band is rehearsing in a practice room, you don't set up in the straight line like you would in a gig situation, or would you?

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Sometimes, maybe the week before a gig, we do. We're lucky in that we rent quite a large loft space in a farm building so we can comfortably set up as per on stage. In fact, since we play around half of our gigs in a small pub, we've actually got a lot more space than when we play live so we have to huddle in a bit. This is like a dress rehearsal. We're not practising the songs so much as making sure that we're not getting in each others way, if there are any visual cues that we can see each other, getting used to the on stage sound balance etc.

When we're working on songs we're aiming to get the best balance for everybody, making sure that we can see each other, easy access to amps for tweaking and having the maximum space between us (especially if the other guitarist is in particularly flatulent mood - that man really does need to see a Doctor).

We usually put the amps along the back wall either side of the drummer (as per on stage). The bass player likes to stand fairly close to the drummer (but he also wanders about a bit). Myself and the other guitarist take the two far corners. We should probably try to move the bass player away from his amp a little more. If he stands too close then he tends to turn up too loud. It may be a combination of the relatively long wavelength of the bass notes (open A would have a wavelength of around 5ft) and the fact that close up the speakers would be pointing at the backs of his legs. The vocals go through a couple of powered cabs usually placed on tilt back stands on the floor (so that they act like wedges), the drummer has a small monitor on a stand right next to him.

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http://www.random-thought.co.uk/

Quote Music Wolf:

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(especially if the other guitarist is in particularly flatulent mood - that man really does need to see a Doctor).

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I toured with a rap-soul singer for a while and she used to get nervous before larger gigs and went into a fit of massive farting. And these were real hum-dingers. I mean, you could dig bits out with a spoon and wall paper peeled!

But to the OP's original question, as if you are on stage. That way you get used to putting on a show and not just looking at one another!

I prefer an inward facing circle when learning songs with a band

Once the songs are learnt its back to the normal places for a live show

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Madman_Greg

Quote Madman_Greg:

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I prefer an inward facing circle when learning songs with a band

Once the songs are learnt its back to the normal places for a live show

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+1

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Maybe you don't need to be in a strung-out line for a live show - you may be able to set up in a way that allows rather more contact?

One other thought. You aim the vocal monitors at YOUR ears, not at the audience. Why would you not do the same with any individual combo amps?

Thanks for the replies, it seems to be 50/50 so far over gig set up/facing each other from corners set up.

Can I put this question another way? With reference to the crude sketch of my rehearsal space above, if the band instead all set up in a line against the bottom long wall, playing towards the short wall (14ft) would this not be asking for trouble? No projection and sound bouncing back in your face too quickly etc?

I'm assuming those of you that can rehearse like on stage have much larger rooms for projection?

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www.variousassortments.co.uk - www.myspace.com/variousassortments

Edited by paulprogram (14/05/12 03:34 AM)

When rehearsing new material I prefer to work in a circle in the studio. When doing the last rehearsal before a gig I prefer to go out and hire somewhere completely different so that I can get some idea of what happens to the material when played in a strange room.

James.

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JRP Music - Audio Mastering and Restoration.
http://www.jrpmusic.net

Quote paulprogram:

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Thanks for the replies, it seems to be 50/50 so far over gig set up/facing each other from corners set up.

Can I put this question another way? With reference to the crude sketch of my rehearsal space above, if the band instead all set up in a line against the bottom long wall, playing towards the short wall (14ft) would this not be asking for trouble? No projection and sound bouncing back in your face too quickly etc?

I'm assuming those of you that can rehearse like on stage have much larger rooms for projection?

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You're rehearsing the music, not testing the PA system! Minimum gear, minimum volume, all speakers pointing at YOU, not at a non-existing audience.